St. Tammany student raising money for mission trip to The Philippines

Jessica Long, a 19-year old St. Tammany Parish resident and a sophomore at Southeastern Louisiana University, is seeking to go on a mission trip to The Philippines to help people in need. But first, she’ll need the help of her neighbors on the north shore.

Photos will be taken with Santa on Dec. 8 to raise money to enable Jessica Long to take a mission trip to The Philippines.David Grunfeld / Staff archive

Her family is kicking off the fundraising effort on Dec. 8 with a combination yard sale, bake sale and arts and crafts sale at their property off Louisiana 21 in Bush, near the House of Seafood Restaurant. Jason R. Ball Photography will be on site so children can take pictures with Santa Claus, as well.

Long was selected to go on the mission trip to The Philippines by the International Mission Board. She learned of the mission while working at the Baptist Seminary College in New Orleans. She is hoping to raise $3,500 to pay for the cost of the trip, which will begin June 1.

“I will be spending the entire summer, living and working in The Philippines, helping those in need,” Long wrote on an informational flyer she has sent to potential donors. “My team and I will be boarding riverboats and riding to small villages where we will share the Gospel with ears who may have never heard….I am incredibly excited about this opportunity and believe that through fundraisers and donations, I will be able to meet this financial goal. Your support is greatly appreciated and I know that together, we can make a difference!”

The fundraiser will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 8. Photos with Santa will be available from approximately 9 a.m. until noon. The physical address where the fundraiser will take place is 82058 Louisiana 21, Bush, LA 70431. The property is approximately 15 miles from the fire station located at Claiborne Hill in Covington; and is on the right side of LA 21, one mile past the House of Seafood.

For more information or to make a donation to Long, send email to jessica.long@selu.edu, or call 985.249.9328 or 985.400.6082.